I am continually inspired by the humility our Blessed Mother shows throughout her life, and especially in her Magnificat. Her first observation, after expressing her praise to God, is of her own “lowliness.”
For he has looked upon his handmaid’s lowliness;
quotation found here
Have you ever thought much about how remarkable her humility really is? I mean, think about it. An angel from God literally appeared to Mary. He essentially delivered this message: Hey Mary, God chooses you, from among all people who have ever walked the earth or who ever will, to deliver the Messiah to the world. Oh, by the way, you’re awesome!
How many of us could walk away from that without a bloated sense of ego? Honestly, I have trouble controlling pride when other humans say nice things about me. I can’t imagine hearing such a complementary message from a direct messenger of God.
Yet, Mary’s response to the Angel (see Luke 1:38) and her message to Elizabeth demonstrate complete humility. I pray often for the Lord to help me find greater humility, and there is no better example than our Blessed Mother.
A couple years ago, I found a beautiful prayer, the Litany of Humility. (find it here) As with other litany prayers, you can pray in a group: a leader reads each line and the rest of the group says the repeated responses. You can also just pray it yourself, saying or meditating on both parts.
This litany is the best illustration of just how difficult it is to be truly humble. Each line describes another way that pride creeps into our hearts. This prayer is both challenging and motivating, and I hope it will be meaningful for you, too.
I also found a great source of quotes from the Saints on humility (find it here). Let me share a few of my favorites:
“No one reaches the kingdom of Heaven except by humility”
–St Augustine
Humility is the foundation of all the other virtues hence, in the soul in which this virtue does not exist there cannot be any other virtue except in mere appearance.
–Saint Augustine
There is more value in a little study of humility and in a single act of it than in all the knowledge in the world.
–Saint Teresa of Avila
“It is no great thing to be humble when you are brought low; but to be humble when you are praised is a great and rare attainment.”
–St.Bernard
So, I guess this week’s challenge is to look for those prideful moments in our lives and to pray for God’s help so we can grow in humility. If the litany appeals to you, use that in your prayer. If not, just talk honestly with God.